In chastising only the Hindu nationalist BJP, Haroon Siddiqui betrays his bias toward India's Islamist groups, the authoritarian mullahs and their pro-Iran agenda. These Islamists too were wiped out along with their Communist allies, particularly the CPM. The Communists made an electoral alliance with Islamic fundamentalists and the Jamaat-e-Islami. More than the BJP, it was the CPM-Islamist grouping that got trashed by voters.In Kerala, where the CP Front held 19 out of 20 seats going into the election, the Left Front was reduced to a mere five seats. In West Bengal, the other bastion of the ...

It’s time Muslims – who comprise 13.4 per cent of India’s population – assert themselves as part of the national mainstream and its politics. As India goes to the polls, Sareshwala says, ‘Muslims’ victim-centric mentality must end.’ Indeed, he urges Muslims to be part of the fast-growing economy
‘I pray five times a day and sport a beard, but I will never vote for a candidate only because he is a Muslim — not even the most pious maulana,’ he asserts.
Also, after the November 26, 2008, attacks in Mumbai, people understand that not ...

The following is a snapshot of recent developments in India's general election campaign. Nitish Kumar, a key ally of the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar state, denied speculation he is open to joining a Congress-led coalition after the election. Kumar, who heads Bihar's ruling Janata Dal (United) party, said: "It's both unfounded and without any basis." Bihar is a possible swing state in the general election and counts for 40 seats in parliament. (Times of India)Congress may ask its foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee to broker an alliance with the ruling party's former leftist ...